Bluffton hearts & darts

Byline2:

Savannah

NO TAX INCREASE IN TOWN BUDGET PROPOSAL

Hearts ... to no tax increase in the preliminary Fiscal Year 2015 budget adopted last week by Bluffton Town Council.

The proposal would keep the property tax rate at 40 mills while increasing the town’s general fund by more than $1 million to pay for more economic development activities and hire seven additional police officers.

That doesn’t come without a cost, however. The budget would also make large cuts to the stormwater fund and capital improvements program.

We are disappointed by the nearly 40 percent drop in stormwater money, from $2.72 million to $1.65 million, which the town attributes to a decline in funding sources. Fortunately, most of the $1.65 million will be used in May River preservation, which must remain a top priority. The town must do all it can to ensure the May River Watershed Action Plan is being adequately funded.

SUN CITY INCIDENT SETS CHANGE IN MOTION

Darts ... to the incident some have called the Raid on Sun City.

Last year, a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent, visiting Sun City to check on a liquor license, learned regular card games were being played in the community. The agent told residents and board members those games are illegal under state law.

The incident has motivated the S.C. Legislature to revisit the state’s antiquated gaming law, which dates back to 1802 and outlaws card and dice games.

Sen. Tom Davis has introduced a bill that ensures games involving tiles, dice and cards are legal in South Carolina, but stipulates players must share a social relationship and cannot benefit economically from the games. The bill has passed through the Senate and was approved Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee.

The incident in Sun City surely caused headaches for some people, but it has set in motion a potential law change that will benefit recreational gamers across the state.

BARRETT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS

Hearts ... to the progress Bluffton has made under town manager Anthony Barrett, who announced Tuesday his plans to retire in September.

Barrett has helped lead the town through some interesting times since he arrived in 2009 and is set to leave it in a very good place this year. The country was still dealing with the fallout of the Great Recession when his tenure began, but Bluffton weathered the economic storm and is experiencing some strong growth once again.

The town has also made strides in dealing with the consequences of rapid growth in recent years, having formed the May River Watershed Action Plan in 2011. The plan has produced encouraging results so far and we expect Barrett’s successor will be able to pick up right where he leaves off with it.

We know there is lots of work to do until September, but now is a good time to recognize Barrett for everything he has accomplished here so far.

HARDEEVILLE WELCOMES NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS

Hearts ... to new Hardeeville City Council members Carolyn Kassel and David Spisso.

The two challengers were voted to a pair of at-large council seats in Tuesday’s election. They defeated incumbents Sal Arzillo and Sherry Carroll, as well as local business owner Justin Patel for the right to help guide the city for the next four years.

Kassel and Spisso are set to join council at a critical time for the city, with a host of key positions being filled on an interim basis. They will help identify permanent hires for city manager, city attorney and police chief.

The city has seen plenty of upheaval this year with the resignations of city manager Bob Nanni and police chief Richard Nagy. Interim city manager Rose Dobson-Elliott said last month fire chief Dan Morgan was on a leave of absence, but declined to disclose its length or provide documentation verifying his employment status.

We encourage Kassel and Spisso to do their part to create more stability and transparency for the city.